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Dentistry

Clean teeth and healthy gums play an important role in your pet’s overall health and wellbeing. Yet, dental care is one of the most often overlooked components of veterinary care. Without regular exams and cleanings, your pet is likely to suffer from plaque and tartar buildup, which can eventually lead to dental disease, a much more serious medical condition. The best way to protect your pet, and extend the length of their life, is to make a commitment to the ongoing care of their teeth and gums. Dakota Veterinary Clinic offers a full range of professional pet dentistry services to manage all of your animal companion’s oral health care needs.

Our dental care services are two-fold. First, we offer preventative dental care, designed to ward off plaque and tartar and help your pet maintain a healthy mouth. Our team of highly skilled veterinary professionals will perform a comprehensive oral examination to evaluate your pet’s current oral health. We’ll then use modern equipment, including an ultrasonic scaler, to clean the teeth and polish them with a special paste that smooths scratches in the tooth enamel. We also have the option of applying a dental sealant to discourage the future buildup of plaque. Preventative dental care is recommended as early as the first few months of life, and should continue at least once a year thereafter.

The other phase of our professional pet dentistry services is the treatment and management of existing oral health problems. We are well trained at identifying problems with the teeth or gums and are equipped to address any situation your pet may be dealing with, including the extraction of broken or diseased teeth and the performance of minor oral surgery, as needed. Dental radiographs may also be taken to help our veterinarians identify abnormalities that cannot be detected through physical examination alone. Even if you’ve never given your pet’s dental health a second thought, it’s never too late. We can help address any existing problems and get them back on track toward a clean, healthy mouth again in no time.

It’s important to point out that all dental procedures require sedation of the patient, for their own safety and ours. Rest assured that we use the safest available anesthetic products, and closely monitor our dental patients at all times, ensuring that their vital signs remain precisely where they should be throughout the procedure. We provide pain management medications before, during and after all dental procedures and, if appropriate, will also prescribe medication to control pain at home for a few days following the procedure.

Finally, although equally as important, is the role that you play in your pet’s dental health. Annual cleanings aren’t always enough to keep plaque, tartar and dangerous bacteria at bay. It’s also important that you take the appropriate measures to continue the care that your pet receives with us after you return home. We’ll gladly work with you to show you brushing techniques and provide advice and guidance on keeping your pet’s teeth and gums healthy and clean year-round. Together we’ll work hard to help your companion achieve a lifetime of good oral health.

Your pet’s dental health is important to us! Call today to schedule an oral exam today!